Thursday, 11 February 2016

What Fred and Rose West did for decades before getting caught in their house on 25 Cromwell Street, nicknamed the "House of Horrors", goes beyond anything anyone could ever imagine....

As a society we are fascinated by murder. It is a constant theme throughout much of our media, and many news outlets will prioritize a murderous story, knowing that it will enthrall audiences. There is something about those who decide to take a life that makes them so incredibly interesting to the rest of us.

While many of the most famous murderers are known across the world, there are those whose crimes are relatively less known. One of the strangest stories involves the married couple Fred and Rose West. Together they killed. Up until the time they were caught, they engaged in a string of murders, each motivated by hate, jealousy, passion, and a fundamental lack of morals.

In this audiobook, we will go in depth and learn about the history of the murderers. We will examine Fred and Rose's early lives, their relationship, and their personalities and will ultimately try to discover what it was that drove them to become two of the most notorious killers in the history of the British Isles. Though their crimes made front-page news at the time, few people outside of the country know the extent of their criminality. In this book we will learn exactly what made their killings so infamous.

For those who are in any way interested in the depths of human morality, the Wests represent some of the most depraved and sadistic murderers ever to have lived. Not only did they prey on unsuspecting young girls, but their attentions were even turned toward their own daughters. In a case involving kidnap, rape, and murder, Fred and Rose went beyond the realms of what many of us consider possible as people. Listen to learn exactly what drove Fred and Rose West to become two of history's greatest monsters.

This is True Crime and as such, is a very difficult listen. That two people could inflict such unutterable pain, terror and degradation upon their victims before eventually murdering them is just beyond comprehension.

I well remember the impact this had on people when every day yet another body would be found, every day a new atrocity exposed, it seemed endless.

This is a short account, but I thought the book to be well written, it's a comprehensive review of all the components of the case, the life stories of those two flawed characters, how they met and how their deviant lives developed. Of course, there's nothing new, but how can there be? It's history now, and for those interested, here are all the facts brought together. I appreciate how the author sticks to what has been reported, no amateur psychological profiling, and no embellishments. I'm more accustomed to reading and reviewing fiction, but in my opinion, within its genre, this deserves 5 stars, but be warned, it's not for the faint hearted.

Narrator

John N. Gully narrated this awful story in the only acceptable way, and that is by using a reporter style, It would not be possible to listen to the evil activities and the suffering of real victims if the narration were infused with emotion. Excellent job.